T1 Energy Inc., specialised in manufacturing photovoltaic cells and modules, announces an investment of $850 million for the construction of a five-gigawatt (GW) photovoltaic cell production unit named G2_Austin. The project, located in Milam County, Texas, benefits from substantial local tax support in the form of long-term tax exemptions conditioned upon specific investment and employment targets.
Strategic choice of industrial partners
T1 Energy has chosen Yates Construction to manage pre-construction services and site preparations ahead of a planned operational launch by the end of 2026. The collaboration also includes SSOE Group, responsible for engineering services since December 2024. The future industrial unit, G2_Austin, is expected to generate approximately 1,800 permanent jobs.
This new installation is part of a broader strategic plan by T1 Energy aimed at strengthening the national supply chain for photovoltaic components. It complements the existing G1_Dallas facility, which currently produces photovoltaic modules with an equivalent annual capacity of five GW. Both sites will notably utilise the advanced technology known as “TOPCon” to meet the growing demand for photovoltaic products manufactured in the United States.
Statements from stakeholders
Daniel Barcelo, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of T1 Energy, highlighted the industrial and energy objectives of this ambitious project. “Our facilities will manufacture photovoltaic cells and modules effectively supporting the American economy with abundant energy,” he stated.
William G. Yates III, President and Chief Executive Officer of Yates Construction, affirmed his company’s full commitment to the project’s operational success. “Yates Construction will leverage its recognised expertise in major industrial projects to successfully complete this project,” he stated in a press release.
Local reactions and economic perspectives
Local authorities unanimously approved fiscal support for T1 Energy. Milam County Judge Bill Whitmire emphasised the project’s economic importance, particularly highlighting the jobs created by this development. This initiative confirms Texas’s strategic positioning as an attractive hub for photovoltaic industrialists in the United States.
Final negotiations on commercial terms between T1 Energy and Yates Construction are currently underway to ensure compliance with the original project timeline.
